Actor Adrian Schiller has died ‘suddenly’ at 60, his agent has confirmed in a statement today.
The Victoria star’s agent issued a concerning statement when confirming the sad news. Scott Marshall Partners, who represented him for more than three decades, said: “He has died far too soon, and we, his family and close friends are devastated by the loss. His death was sudden and unexpected and no further details around its cause are yet available.
“A prodigiously talented actor, he had just returned from Sydney, where he had been appearing in The Lehman Trilogy and was looking forward to continuing the international tour in San Francisco.” Adrian was also known for his appearances in BBC Caribbean-set detective series Death In Paradise and historical dramas The Musketeers on the BBC and The Devil’s Whore on Channel 4.
He was recently seen in January as a criminal, named Drake Underwood, in an episode of BBC detective series Father Brown called The Father, The Son, about a heist gone wrong. Also known for his theatre work, Schiller was among the cast in Second World War play The White Factory at Marylebone Theatre last year.
His agent also said he “enjoyed a varied and successful career across all media”. “Our deepest condolences go to his family, who ask for privacy at this most difficult of times,” the statement also said. The actor made appearances in A Touch Of Frost, Raised By Wolves, Residue, The Hollow Crown, Doctor Who, New Tricks, Being Human, Silent Witness, Prime Suspect, Judge John Deed and My Family.
In 2021, Adrian played Pasha Verdinikov in two episodes of Death in Paradise. He became the face of the government’s anti-drink-driving campaign titled Moment of Doubt which aired on British TV. It was part of the Department for Transports Think! Road Safety campaign in 2007. In December 2008 the advert won Best Casting at the BTACA awards.
Tributes poured in for the star as one said: “Awful news that Adrian Schiller has died aged only 60. He played Uncle in The Doctor’s Wife for Doctor Who along with appearances in a couple of Who related podcast series. #rip #DoctorWho.” Adrian played Uncle in the Doctor Who television story The Doctor’s Wife. He also voiced several characters for Big Finish Productions.
The official X account for The Lehman Trilogy shared: “We are deeply saddened and shocked to have lost our company member and friend, Adrian Schiller. Adrian played Henry Lehman in the international production of The Lehman Trilogy. He was a highly respected and much-loved part of the company.”
Rufus Norris, Director of National Theatre, said: “We are deeply saddened and shocked to have lost our company member and friend, Adrian Schiller. Adrian was a wonderful actor, and the National Theatre had the pleasure of working with him throughout the breadth of his career.
“His recent performance as Henry Lehman in the Australian premiere of The Lehman Trilogy was superb and his presence within the company will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this time.”
He was born on February 21, 1964, in London. Adrian appeared in huge Hollywood films including Disney’s live action Beauty and The Beast in 2017, where he played Monsieur D’arque. The actor starred as David Lloyd George in the 2015 film Suffragette, as well as Mr Taylor in Bright Star and the English Master in 2019’s Tolkien.
His latest acting credit came from The New Look, a 2024 Apple TV series in which Adrian played Ambassador Hoare. This year, he also made an appearance in Father Brown as Drake Underwood for one episode.
TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTubeand Threads.